By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Feb 25: Please, no more undersized culverts at temporary drains and construction sites that could cause flash flooding.
This was a message by Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang to the contractors and developers as he pointed out that small-sized culverts could not discharge water fast enough during heavy downpours.
“There are a lot of common problems like this, so I would like to encourage our developers to be aware and don’t place small culverts around that could block drainage waste.
“I also want to encourage the public to continue to report to the Council if they find any of such problems that exist,” he said.
For temporary measures, he had instructed MPP to remove blockages in these culverts at a few places.
Lo, who is also Batu Kitang assemblyman said this is one of the few immediate efforts by MPP to alleviate the occurrence of flash floods hitting several areas in Sarawak lately.
Another measure undertaken by the Council included the upgrading of aging drains in the area.
He added that MPP has been and will continue to support the flood mitigation plans by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID).
“I know DID has been working hard trying to find ways to solve our flooding problems, and there’s a number of flood mitigation projects that are on going in MPP areas.
“I know a few in Stakan and Batu Kawa currently. DID has allocated RM120 million for these projects in Batu Kawa area alone,” he remarked during a Zoom meeting with MPP staff and the media earlier today.
In the virtual meeting, Lo also announced the updated discount on assessment rates under MPP for the period of January to December, 2021.
From January to June, 2021, 25 per cent discount would be applied to all commercial, industrial and special purpose properties, but not for the second half of the year.
For residential properties, discount rates would remain the same throughout the year except for annual rates of more than RM400 with higher rates of 25 per cent in the first half of the year.— DayakDaily
